"Mecha Trainer!"

"Happiness Collector!"

Spike Brothers vs Pale Moon, huh? Part of me expected them to share the same clans too, but... I'm kind of glad they didn't. Still though, I didn't expect them to use these clans.

With how weak Nibiiro was physically, I thought it was ironic he was using a clan based around a sport lie American football. As for Oozora, I thought he'd play Altmile or some sort of Dimension Police deck with a title like Great Sky Hero.

"First Turn: Nibiiro Suzui."

"Looks like you're up first."

"Stand and draw! I discard a card and ride Dudley William from my Ride Deck! Mecha Trainer's skill, I draw a card! Turn end."

Nibiiro:
Hand: 6
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

Oozora:
Hand: 5
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

"Stand and draw! I ride Amusing Bunny! I draw and get a Quick Shield! Amusing's skill, I scry 7, add a Beast Tamer from among them to my hand, then put a card from hand into soul! I add Golden Beast Tamer and put Brassie Bunny into soul!"

Even more stranger, Oozora was playing a deck designed around the "Bunny" archetype. This was definitely not what I had in mind when I pictured him... even a deck like Dauntless Drive would fit him more than this.

"Amusing Bunny attacks! (8000)"

"No guard!"

"Drive check! (Silver Thorn, Rising Dragon)"

"Damage check! (Exceptional Expertise, Rising Nova)"

"Ouch, one of your boss units is out early. Sucks to be you."

Oozora snickered at Nibiiro.

"I still have another two copies in deck, I wouldn't start celebrating just yet."

"Of course you do, Rising Nova is dirt cheap. Perfect for a Drachma dropout like you. Turn end!"

Nibiiro:
Hand: 6
Damage: 1
OXO
OOO

Oozora:
Hand: 8
Damage: 0
Soul: 2
OXO
OOO

"Stand and draw! I discard a card and ride Adorbs Perm, Rona! Rona's skill, I counterblast and call Deadheat Bullspike from my deck! William's skill, I move him from soul to rear-guard! I call Agile Fullback behind my vanguard! His skill, he can attack from the back row this turn! Rona, attack! (10000)"

"What an annoying rush... I activate my Heal Guardian, Nightmare Doll, Lindy! (8000 > 23000) Skill, my vanguard gets +10k! (23000 > 33000) No pass!"

"Drive check! (Cheer Girl, Marilyn) Draw trigger! All to Fullback! (10000 > 20000) Fullback attacks next! (20000)"

"No guard! (Silver Thorn Beast Tamer, Doriane)"

"Boosted by William, Deadheat attacks! (13000 > 21000)"

"Quick Shield guards! (18000 > 23000)"

"Turn end!"

Nibiiro:
Hand: 7
Damage: 1
XXO
XXO

Oozora:
Hand: 6
Damage: 1
Soul: 2
OXO
OOO

"Stand and draw! I ride Bunny's Beast Tamer Assistant, Klorina! I call Midnight Bunny! With a boost, Klorina attacks! (9000 > 17000) Midnight's skill, I soulcharge! Klorina's skill, I put a card from hand into soul to call Amusing from soul! Since I have three grade 1 Bunny in field and soul, she gets drive +1! (17000/1d > 2d)"

The reason why Oozora called Amusing to the back row was because he was confident that Klorina's attack would hit and trigger Midnight's skill to superior call and generate a stronger second attack.

If Nibiiro didn't let the attack go through, he'd be damage choking himself, limiting the plays he could make next turn. In both situations, Oozora would benefit from whichever outcome.

"No guard!"

"Twin Drive!! (Masquerade Bunny, Skyhigh Walker) Front, wasted. (17000 > 27000/2d)"

"Damage check! (Cheer Girl, Fiona)"

"Midnight's skill, since the attack hit, I counterblast and put her into soul to call Rising Dragon! Rising's skill, since I called two cards from soul this turn, he gets +10k! (9000 > 19000) Boosted by Amusing, Rising Dragon attacks! (19000 > 27000)"

"No guard! (Machine Gun Gloria)"

"Amusing's skill, I put Rising back into soul. Turn end!"

Nibiiro:
Hand: 7
Damage: 3
XXO
XXO

Oozora:
Hand: 6
Damage: 1
Soul: 6
OXO
XOO

OST: Saviour

"Stand and draw! I discard a card to ride my avatar from the Ride Deck! The field is yours to conquer, so make it your playground and become the king of carnage! Smash through the line and break their bones, Exceptional Expertise, Rising Nova!"

"Rising's skill, I get both Imaginary Gift: Force I and Force II! I put it on Bullspike's circle! (13000 > 23000/1 > 2) Fullback's skill, I put him into soul and superior call a copy from my deck! Since he was placed by an effect, he gets 10k, and since he was placed behind my vanguard, he can attack from the back row again! (10000 > 20000) Skill, activate!"

Nibiiro's visor began glowing lush dark green.

"Diabolical Enlightenment! I search my deck for a grade 3, Spiking Cyclone, and call it! I call, Machine Gun Gloria! Rising's skill! I soulblast to copy both Bullspike and Cyclone's skills until end of turn! Skill acquired from Cyclone, he gets +5k for each marker I have! (13000 > 23000) Bullspike attacks first! (23000/2)"

"Skyhigh guards! (9000 > 24000)"

"Skill acquired from Bullspike, since the attack didn't hit, I draw a card and retire Amusing Bunny! Next, I attack with Rising Nova! (23000) Skills acquired from both Bullspike and Cyclone activate! When my unit attacks, I soulblast to move all my markers to their circle! (23000 > 33000/1 > 2) When my vanguard attacks, I counterblast to stand Bullspike! Daemon Impulse!"

"Heal Guardian, activate! Nightmare Doll, Lindy guards! (9000 > 24000) Skill, your vanguard loses -2 critical!"

"One critical to pass, huh? (33000/2 > 0) Twin Drive!! (Gunburst Linebacker, Ambush Dexter) Nothing. Boosted by William, Bullspike attacks! (13000 > 21000) Skill, I soulblast to move all markers to him! (21000 > 31000/1 > 2)"

"No guard! (Brassie Bunny, Golden Beast Tamer)"

"William's skill, I put him into soul to move all markers to Fullback! (20000 > 30000/1 > 2) Fullback attacks from the back row! (30000/2)"

"No guard! (Bunny's Beast Tamer, Tilaipse, Hades Hypnotist) Draw, all to vanguard! (9000 > 19000)"

"You're now at five! One more hit, and you're finished! Boosted by Gloria, Cyclone attacks! (13000 > 21000) Skill, I soulblast to move all markers to him! (21000 > 31000/1 > 2)"

"You're naive if you think I'm going down that easily! Hoop Magician, guard! (19000 > 34000)"

"Damn it, and I was so close too... Gloria's skill, I put both her and Cyclone on the bottom of my deck and draw! Turn end!"

At the cost of all his soul, Nibiiro had managed to pull off one of the most devastating turn 3's I've ever seen. He created five attacks that all pressured with 2 critical each, giving Oozora no breathing room to guard.

If Oozora didn't guard his rush from earlier, he'd be in a much worse position in terms of hand size. He needed to crack back with something even more powerful next turn, or else Nibiiro would steal this game with how far ahead he was.

Nibiiro:
Hand: 10
Damage: 3
XXO
OXO

Oozora:
Hand: 4
Damage: 5
Soul: 6
OXO
OOO

"Stand and draw! All that can be seen in this illusionary dream is a wonderland filled with love and lust! Open a gate to the dreamscape and convert these desires into reality, my avatar! I ride, Bunny's Beast Tamer, Tilaipse!"

"Imaginary Gift: Accel II! I draw a card! Hand in hand, I'll create a new dream with you in this special wonderland made just for us... I call, Golden Beast Tamer! (12000 > 17000)"

"Tilaipse's skill, I counterblast and put two cards from hand into soul! I call Rising Dragon and Midnight Bunny! Then, I make Golden Beast Tamer's rear-guard circle into a vanguard circle! Nibiiro, does this remind you of anything?"

Oozora laughed tauntingly, scrunching his hand into a fist.

"No...? Is it supposed to?"

"Look closer. Think about it carefully."

"I still don't get it."

"Allow me to enlighten you then!"

"Go on..."

"It's me and Shinomiya-san fighting together."

Nibiiro narrowed his eyes at Oozora as he realised what his deck was trying to represent.

"I'm Tilaipse, and she's Golden Beast Tamer. We're both vanguards, working in tandem together. She's my perfect other half, my partner in crime. It's wonderful, isn't it?"

So this was why Oozora played Bunny. In his own delusions, he believed that these two cards represented him and her fighting together on the battlefield. If they were actually a couple, it'd be sweet, but since this love was one-sided...

"You really are a creep..."

I was inclined to agree with Nibiiro here.

"Isn't this what love is all about though? Being together with your partner, complementing each other, having each other's backs... if me and Shinomiya-san were to come together, we'd be unstoppable."

"Keep your delusional thoughts to yourself. I don't want to hear any of your sickening squabble..."

Nibiiro bit his bottom lip and tightened his fists.

"God, you're hilarious when you're pissed off! I love how you're trying to act calm, but underneath you're squirming in rage! Why don't you just throw away your rationality and scream at me like you did earlier? That suits you more, Nibiiro! A berserker who can barely control his emotions! Come on, let loose again! I want to see you pissed!"

"Shut up!"

"There we go, that's more like it! All that suppressed anger, show me more! Let it all out, become enraged, let me see just how unsightly you can become! Ku ha ha ha ha!"

Nibiiro gritted his teeth. He refrained from responding to Oozora's provocations, knowing this reaction was exactly what he wanted.

"Rising Dragon's skill, he gets +10k! (9000 > 19000) Now, it's my turn. Skill, activate!"

Oozora's visor began glowing sky blue.

"Performance Cloud! I open an Imaginary Gift: Accel II, draw a card, and call two cards from soul! I call, Amusing Bunny and Masquerade Bunny! (8000 > 13000) Masquerade's skill, she gets +5k since I called a card from soul this turn! (13000 > 18000) Golden Beast Tamer's skill, since I have five units, my front row get +3k! (17000 > 20000) (19000 > 22000) (12000 > 15000) (18000 > 21000) Tilaipse's skill, my front row gets +1k for each grade 1 Bunny on my field and soul! There's six, so +6k! (20000 > 26000) (22000 > 28000) (15000 > 21000) (21000 > 27000) Let's start this parade, Masquerade Bunny attacks! (27000)"

"Silence Joker guards! (13000 > 28000)"

"Boosted by Amusing, Tilaipse attacks! (21000 > 28000) Golden Heaven!"

"No guard!"

"Twin Drive!! (Bunny's Beast Tamer Assistant, Klorina, Hoop Magician) Front! My front row gets +10k! (26000 > 36000) (28000 > 38000) (28000 > 38000) (27000 > 37000)"

"Damage check! (Dudley William)"

"Amusing's skill, Masquerade goes to soul. Boosted by Midnight, Rising attacks! (38000 > 46000) Midnight's skill, soulcharge! Since I soulcharged a Bunny, my front row gets another +1k! (46000 > 47000) (36000 > 37000) (21000 > 22000)"

"Marilyn, perfect guard!"

If Nibiiro had let that attack hit, Oozora would've used Midnight Bunny's skill to make another attack. It was better to guard it rather than take it, even if it was the biggest attack thus far.

"Time for Golden Beast Tamer to attack! (37000) Her skill, I counterblast and put a card from hand to soul to call out Klorina and Masquerade! (9000 > 14000) Masquerade's skill, +5k! (8000 > 13000) Golden Beast Tamer's skill, +3k! (13000 > 16000) (14000 > 17000) Tilaipse's skill, +7k! (16000 > 23000) (17000 > 24000) With a crack of her whip, you'll enter Golden Paradise!"

"Marilyn, perfect guard once more!"

"Twin Drive!! (Brassie Bunny, Skyhigh Walker) Alright, another Front! (37000 > 47000) (39000 > 49000) (22000 > 32000) (23000 > 33000) (24000 > 34000) Masquerade attacks! (33000)"

"Killparade Mevis and Machine Gun Gloria guard! (13000 > 38000) Gloria's skill, when she's retired from guard, I counterblast to call her!"

"Klorina attacks! (34000)"

"No guard! (Precious Cheer Girl, Cameron) Heal trigger! But I can't heal..."

"And it's too late as a damage trigger too. Man, you suck! Turn end!"

Oozora laughed as he managed to stabilise his position. However, I don't think he did enough to equalise with Nibiiro.

Nibiiro:
Hand: 3
Damage: 5
XXO
XXO

Oozora:
Hand: 6
Damage: 5
Soul: 6
XXXXX
   XXO

"Stand and draw! The sun beats down on the strategic genius, turning devilish superpower into an explosive supernova! King of carnage, rampage endlessly on the field and show them who's greatest! I persona ride, Exceptional Expertise, Rising Nova!"

"I get both Imaginary Gift: Force I and Force II! All to my open front row circle! Fullback's skill, he goes into soul, and I superior call a copy from deck with +10k! (10000 > 20000) He can attack from back row! I call Adorbs Perm, Rona and use her skill to counterblast and superior call Spiking Cyclone from my deck! (13000 > 23000/1 > 2) Rising's skill, I soulblast to copy both Bullspike and Cyclone! Skill acquired from Cyclone, he gets +5k for each marker I have! I have 4, so that's +20k! (13000 > 33000) Battle! Bullspike attacks! (23000/2)"

"Rising Dragon intercepts and Brassie Bunny guards! (12000 > 27000)"

"Since the attack didn't hit, I draw a card and retire Golden Beast Tamer!"

"You have no remorse, killing off Shinomiya-san like that."

"She's only Mai to you, in your sick head! Rising Nova attacks next! (33000) Skill acquired from Cyclone, I counterblast to stand Bullspike! Daemon Impulse!"

"Hades Hypnotist, perfect guard!"

"Twin Drive!! (Agile Fullback, Silence Joker) Critical, all to Fullback! (20000 > 30000/1 > 2) Now Fullback attacks next! (30000/2)"

"Hoop Magician and Klorina guards! (12000 > 32000)"

Oozora only had one card in hand left. Three out of his four drive checks had been revealed too. It was clear which card was left in his hand— Skyhigh Walker.

Nibiiro's next attack would definitely breakthrough.

"Boosted by Gloria, Bullspike attacks! (23000 > 31000)"

"Ah, damn... I don't have enough shield."

Despite being on the edge of losing, Oozora didn't sound mad. Instead, he seemed rather relaxed. Was he not taking this game seriously?

"If you can't guard, then take a damage."

"Do I have to? It doesn't even matter who wins or loses."

"What? Of course it does, I'm trying to beat you!"

"Beat me?"

Oozora looked over his shoulder and started laughing.

"Ku ha ha... do you think I'm an idiot? You didn't cardfight me because you wanted to beat me at my own game."

In the distance, a tall shadowy figure slowly approached us.

"You cardfighted me to stall for time. Isn't that right, Monma?"

Oozora grinned maliciously at Jouji, who raised his hands in the air in innocence.

"I dunno what you're talking about mate."

"Don't play dumb. I saw you make that phone call."

"I could've been calling anyone."

"You could've, but I'm pretty sure I heard you contact Hiryuu-sensei. Am I wrong?"

Jouji glared at Oozora, who snickered.

"Stop annoying Jouji and get on with the game."

"There's no point, Nibiiro. This whole game was a farce. A way to get me to stay here until the adults arrived."

"If you knew that, then why agree to play? Why not run away the moment Itsuki and Takanori-san let you go?"

"Because the writing's on the wall for me."

Oozora sighed with a thin smile.

"But if you're so curious..."

He flipped over the top card of his deck nonchalantly.

"Damage check. (Bunny's Beast Tamer, Tilaipse) No trigger."

The TTS collapsed, releasing Nibiiro and Oozora from their fight.

As it did, the tall shadowy figure swiped through the bushes, stepping out of the darkness.

It was Hiryuu-sensei, Class 2-E's homeroom teacher. In his right hand was a flashlight.

To my surprise, following him was Chabashira-sensei. I guess Jouji also asked her to come since I was here.

Upon seeing me, her eyes widened. She didn't expect me to be here with a bunch of 2nd Years, that's for sure.

"Is everyone alright?"

"Just about..."

Nibiiro answered, breathing a sigh of relief as the teachers arrived.

"You guys look like a right mess... and you."

Hiryuu-sensei pointed his flashlight at Oozora, who raised his arms in surrender.

"You're coming with me."

Oozora scowled at Hiryuu-sensei before smiling innocently.

"Sure thing, sensei."

Hiryuu-sensei wasted no time in restraining Oozora.

"Chabashira-san, can you take care of the rest?"

"You can leave it with me."

Hiryuu-sensei nodded, taking Oozora away. As he did, Oozora turned his head round to the rest of us.

"It was fun playing with all of you! Let's do it again tomorrow, at school!"

His unsettling laugh echoed into the dark grey sky ominously.

"Creep..." Nozomi muttered.

"Does anyone need medical attention?"

Chabashira-sensei asked, showing us a first aid kit. Jouji and Itsuki sheepishly raised their hands.

"My face is bruised."

"My nose is bleeding."

She began treating their wounds while everyone else sat down in nervous exhaustion.

"Mai... I'm so glad you're safe..."

Nibiiro tightly hugged Shinomiya, clinging onto her as if he were never going to let go of her again.

"Suzui-kun..."

Shinomiya's voice became muffled as she buried her face into his chest, holding onto him tightly.

"I swear... I swear we'll make things right for you... Oozora won't ever bother you again... I promise!"

I couldn't help but feel the same way, except there was also a strange pang in my heart.

It tugged at me uncomfortably, ridiculing me for not being able to understand what I was feeling.

I sighed, taking my eyes off Shinomiya momentarily.

We might've found out who the stalker was, but this wasn't the end of it.

The real challenge would be stopping Oozora from stalking Shinomiya again.

And the only way we can reliably do that...

...was by expelling him.

I wondered if that was even possible.